The Best Mountain Bike Tires for Spring

Bontrager splits the difference between XC race and all-mountain adventure with the XR3. This single-quiver option utilizes an open, aggressive tread pattern with a fast-rolling center mated to trail-biting shoulder knobs. Wide spacing between knobs enhances mud clearance. The XR3 is available in both standard and tubeless-ready versions for 26-inch and 29-inch wheels. Bontrager attempts to alleviate the typical tubeless-ready weight penalty by using a thin, glycol-based sealant to achieve the same airtight, bead-to-rim interface as standard tubeless tires without the added weight.

Sizes: 26x 2.2, 2.35; 27.5x 2.2, 2.35; 29x 2.2, 2.3

MSRP: $35-$75

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Continental Mud King

No secrets here. Whether you’re a XC pinner or downhill racer, the Continental Mud King is meant to keep you on-line in the nastiest springtime conditions — or whenever the skies open up. Its aggressive, widely spaced tread maintains traction and sheds mud, while a narrow profile cuts through the muck, helping you find solid ground. Reinforced sidewalls and moderately sized shoulder lugs alleviate flats. Both the 1.8 XC model and 2.3 DH tires utilize Continental’s Black Chili tread mixture, which uses smaller particles that Conti says enable the tire tread to deform around surface objects more quickly, improving grip.

The updated tubeless-ready Hutchinson Toro is yet another all-around tire that’s adaptable to a variety of trail conditions. The Toro’s highlight feature is what Hutchinson calls Hardskin technology, where a dense yet flexible textile grid is used to reinforce the tire’s casing. By placing this compound on the sidewalls, you increase puncture resistance without reducing performance. The Toro also features open lateral knobs for better trail penetration and low center knobs that enhance mud shedding.

The quintessential springtime tire, the Kenda Kommando is an XC-specific tire that can be mounted in different directions based on trail conditions. For dry, hardpack rides, the Kommando utilizes center knobs with leading ramps for quick acceleration and increased rolling speed. Hard edges on the back of those knobs enhance braking, while edge knobs flare out for extra cornering control. If the skies open up, flip the Kommando around and those hard braking edges on the center knobs now bite into the trail, while the center, transition and edge knobs are situated to better shed mud.

Sizes: 26x2.1; 29x2.2, 29x1.9

MSRP: $45 standard, $55 tubeless

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Maxxis Ikon

The Maxxis Ikon is an all-round tire that trends toward cross-country racing. It’s light at just 480 grams in a 26-inch version, and the high volume sizing (2.2) let’s you run lower pressure. Expect solid traction whether you’re rolling on hardpack, loose over hardpack, sandy dirt, or rock. But just like any low-profile, race-centric XC tire, it’s less ideal when conditions get sloppy. The near $80 price tag is on the spendy side, but the payoff is a supple 120 TPI casing tire with Maxxis’s 3C MaxxSpeed Triple Compound, and it is available with EXO sidewall protection.

Sizes: 26x2.2, 29x2.2

MSRP: $80 standard, $82 with EXO

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Schwalbe Hans Dampf

Translated from German to English, “hans dampf” means “jack of all trades.” And that’s the idea behind this tubeless-ready, all-conditions offering from German tire-maker Schwalbe. These rugged 2.35-inch trail tamers can get the job done whether you’re surfing sand in SoCal or chugging through mud in Maine. The lone drawback is rolling resistance. Casing is 67tpi, which allows for lower pressure set-up. They also feature Schwalbe Snakeskin, a flexible rubber layer added to the sidewalls for increased durability.

Sizes: 26x2.35, 29x2.35

MSRP: $48-$90

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Specialized Butcher

If daring drops, big hits and high speeds are your calling card, the Specialized Butcher fits the bill. This downhill-centric tire features ramped and siped center tread blocks that increase traction and steering control. And while not a pure mud tire, it’s a good choice for in-between conditions. Ample shoulder knobs yield continuous grip in fast corners, and Specialized combines a 70a base compound with a 42a top compound to create a fast, yet grippy tire. A hearty, dual-ply 60tpi casing combined with butyl sidewall reinforcement pads make punctures unlikely. The Butcher comes in both downhill and freeride models.

Sizes: 26x2.3, 26x2.5

MSRP: $50-$75

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Specialized Ground Control

Part of Specialized’s XC Trail line, the Ground Control is a solid choice for just about any trail conditions, save boggy mud. Lugs are sharp edged with a closely spaced center knob sequence for increased traction without significant rolling speed reduction. Open lug spacing alleviates clogging, while stable shoulder knobs allow you to confidently attack sharp, high-speed turns. The Ground Control comes in a wide variety of models to address various riding conditions. Casings range from hearty 60tpi for burly all-mountain efforts, to supple, lightweight 120tpi for the racer crowd. Same goes for compound options, which range from tough 70a to more grippy 50a.

Sizes: 26x 1.9, 2.1, 2.3; 29x 1.9, 2.1

MSRP: $50-$65

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WTB Moto

A revamped version of the popular WTB Motoraptor, the Moto is an aggressive square-lugged tire that features a double center-block tread pattern for increased traction in wet conditions. Spiky knobs yield better trail surface penetration, while stiff side knobs are strategically placed for increased cornering control. The expansive Moto line is available in a variety of sizes for 26-inch or 29-inch wheels, as well as tubeless, lightweight race, and standard versions.

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